Residents question Bay City's credit card purchases

BAY CITY — The use of credit cards by the city’s top officials was a topic of much discussion Monday night, with several residents questioning the spending.

The City Commission discussed the credit card use during its Finance & Policy Committee meeting after news reports pointed out concerns with what the city is buying.

City Manager Robert Belleman said he was approached by WNEM TV-5 Monday morning after an anonymous employee gave the television news station and former Commissioner Marie Kurzer a packet of papers listing some credit card expenses from the past two years.

Concerns pointed out to him included items such as a hotel stay in Frankenmuth by City Clerk Dana Muscott for a conference, an expenditure of more than $1,000 for a Take Your Child to Work event in 2009 and the purchase of gas cards to reward employees for cost-savings ideas.

“I’m not sure I’d rely heavily on the item descriptions (in the packet given to the news media),” Belleman warned commissioners. “There are some inaccuracies and questions posted in the items.”

Belleman told commissioners that the city follows a strict credit card policy based on state and federal laws, and each expenditure must have documentation and is approved by supervisors and the city’s purchasing department.

He said some items, such as Muscott’s conference in Frankenmuth, were reimbursed by the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks.

“This report does not rise to adequate levels of documentation,” he said.

While many commissioners said it is important that government be transparent, some seemed frustrated that the issue was brought forth.

“This is ridiculous,” said Commissioner John Davidson, 6th Ward. “Someone barks, and we all have to jump. If they’re not going to provide all the information then this shouldn’t even be brought to the Commission.”

But residents who spoke at the full Commission meeting later Monday said residents deserve to know exactly how the money is being spent.

“This is the opportunity for our city to say if we’re in the good or we’re in the bad,” said resident and business owner Steve Beson. “It seems we’re spending a lot on food and conferences, and those look like vacations to me.”

Resident Leann Kirchhoff said she came to the meeting after hearing about the credit card expenses and was particularly upset about money spent on pizza for the 2009 Take Your Child to Work event.

“Personally, I think all of you need to be under citizen’s arrest,” she said. “And you need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and pay restitution. What you are doing is illegal and immoral.”

Mayor Charles Brunner said citizens’ concerns need to be taken seriously.

He said he is considering forming a committee to further investigate allegations made about credit card expenses and is reviewing the city’s credit card policy.